Homosexuality Neither a Mental Illness Nor Disease: IPS

The Indian Psychiatric Society released a joint statement in clarifying their stand on homosexuality, saying that homosexuality is neither a mental illness nor a disease.

Dr TV Asokan, President of the Society, and Dr NN Raju, General Secretary, said in an official statement, "Based on existing scientific evidence and good practice guidelines from the field of psychiatry, Indian Psychiatric Society would like to state that there is no evidence to substantiate the belief that homosexuality is a mental illness or a disease. IPS will issue a more detailed statement in due course of time."

Controversy had erupted when IPS's former President Dr Indira Sharma had slammed same-sex relations. According to reports, she had said, "The manner in which homosexuals have brought the talk of sex to the roads makes people uncomfortable. It's unnatural. Our society doesn't talk about sex. Heterosexuals don't talk about sex. It is a private matter.''

This had caused uproar among the LGBT community and they had reportedly taken up the issue with the IPS. the Society also declared that they would provide a detailed statement later.